Marc Spector is an American rabbi's wayward son. As an adult, Spector spends time as a heavyweight boxer, a U.S. Marine, and a mercenary. After a fight, where he was nearly beaten to death and left to die, he is taken to an Egyptian temple and placed before the statue of Khonshu where Spector's heart stops. Khonshu appears to him in a vision, offering Spector a second chance at life if he becomes the god's avatar on earth.